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Exam Preparation Information

General Preparation

Please leave all jewelry at home.

Mammography

No powder, perfume, or deodorant. Bring a previous mammogram.

Ultrasound

Abdomen:

  • You must not eat or drink for eight hours prior to the examination. This includes no tobacco products and no chewing gum.

Retroperitoneal (Kidneys):

  • Please drink 32 oz of water 1 hour before the exam.

Pelvis:

  • Please drink 32 ounces of water 1 hour before the examination.
  • Do not use the bathroom before exam time.
  • Example: your appointment is at 9:00. You may use the bathroom before 7:30. From 7:30 to 8:00, drink all 32 ounces of water and do not use the bathroom again

Pediatric/Male Pelvis:

  • Do not use the bathroom before exam time.
  • Please see above for an example.

First Trimester Obstetrical:

  • 32 ounces of water and hold until exam

Second/Third Trimester Obstetrical:

  • No Prep

Thyroid:

  • No preparation necessary

Neonatal Intracranial:

  • No preparation necessary

Aorta:

  • Nothing to eat or drink for eight hours before examination time.

Venous/Deep Vein Duplex:

  • No preparation necessary

Breast:

  • No preparation necessary. If you are new to our imaging center and have had a Mammogram or Breast Ultrasound elsewhere please bring your prior films with you.

Superficial:

  • No preparation necessary.

CT (Oral Contrast)

  • Drink 1/2 (one-half) bottle the night before the exam (at bedtime).
  • Drink 1 full bottle slowly and steadily 2 hours before the exam.
  • Bring a 1/2 (one-half) bottle to take during the exam.

Patients receiving oral contrast should fast 2 hours before exam (oral prep excluded).
Oral prep may be refrigerated.
Please drink oral prep straight – do not mix with other liquids.

MRI of the brain and/or neck

Do not wear eye makeup. Dentures should be removed before the exam.

DEXA

  • For 24 hours before the appointment, refrain from taking calcium supplements, antacids, and medications for osteoporosis or osteopenia.
  •   Wear comfortable clothing and avoid wearing metal near the waist.